Summary
This field-based study used free-air CO₂ enrichment (FACE) technology to investigate the effects of elevated atmospheric CO₂ on the nutritional composition of rice grain. The authors found that projected end-of-century CO₂ concentrations were associated with meaningful reductions in protein, iron, zinc, and key B vitamins in rice, a staple crop for a large proportion of the global population. The findings raise concerns about the potential public health implications of rising CO₂ for micronutrient adequacy, particularly in populations heavily dependent on rice as a dietary staple.
UK applicability
Rice is not a staple crop grown in the UK, so the direct agronomic findings do not apply to UK farming systems; however, the results are highly relevant to UK and global nutrition policy, food security strategy, and discussions around the health consequences of climate change for populations in Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa who rely on rice.
Key measures
Grain protein content (%); iron concentration (mg/kg); zinc concentration (mg/kg); B vitamin concentrations (thiamine, riboflavin, folate, pantothenic acid); elevated CO₂ treatment (~568–570 ppm) vs ambient CO₂
Outcomes reported
The study measured the concentrations of protein, iron, zinc, B vitamins, and other micronutrients in rice grain grown under elevated CO₂ conditions using free-air CO₂ enrichment (FACE) technology. It reported significant reductions in protein, iron, zinc, and several B vitamins under elevated CO₂ relative to ambient conditions.
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